Not working seems to pay off

I worked and paid tax and insurance for 50 years.

I still pay income tax, council tax, mortgage, house insurance and repairs.

Others who didn’t work now have rent free accommodation, pay no council tax or other house expenses. They receive Pension Credit making their state retirement more than mine.

Now they are going to get free TV licences, too, along with all the other benefits.

Where is the fairness in that?

Kath Gifford

youngsters to university.

Since it was conceived by Tony Blair, this misguided policy has not merely cost the taxpayers an enormous amount but has misled children into taking on large debts, very often to no purpose. The effects on the higher education has been disastrous, particularly combined with the absurd decision of the Major government to turn polytechnics into universities, which has led to the existence of too many universities, focused on earning sufficient tuition fees to survive, offering ludicrous degrees in subjects which will be of no use in the workplace, while a clear reduction of standards has been evident.

When I left my grammar school in the early 1960s, the vast majority of my fellow students, having completed their A-levels, began employment in banking, the civil service or commerce where training, or apprenticeships led on to fulfilled careers.

The number going on to universities was small, and largely confined to those needing further education for occupations such as doctors, lawyers or scientists.

If the Government fulfils its promises to provide far more opportunities for apprenticeships, or other on the job training, this would offer much better prospects to future generations than wasting time and money on substandard universities.

Colin Bullen